New Passport Rules Help Recover Back Child Support

The new passport requirements that have complicated travel this summer also have uncovered vast numbers of parents who owe back child support. Through the Passport Denial Program, the State Department denies passports to noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in back child support. Once the parents make good on their debts, they can reapply for passports.

Now that millions of additional travelers need passports to fly back from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and South America, collections under the Passport Denial Program are on pace to about double this year. In all, states have reported collecting at least $22.5 million through the program thus far in 2007. The money is then forwarded to the parent to whom it is owed.

Source: Passport Rules Snag Child Support Cash by the New York Times.